Selectively supportable cooking apparatus

ABSTRACT

A cooking vessel which may be selectively supported in various angular positions and having a lid which may also be selectively supported in angular positions either associated with or disassociated from the vessel.

United States Patent Oxel [4 1 Jan. 18, 1972 SELECTIVELY SUPPORTABLE COOKING APPARATUS Inventor: Berton R. Oxel, Louisville, Ohio Assignee: The Hoover Company, North Canton,

Ohio I Filed:

Appl. No.:

Mar. 12, 1970 US. Cl ..220/69, 220/85 CH, 99/444, 248/1882, 248/1886 Int. Cl ..B65d 7/42 Field of Search ..219/436, 438, 441, 442; 99/425, 444; 220/85 CH, 69; 248/1886, 1882 References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Kinzel ..220/85 CH 3,081,395 3/1963 Wickenberg ..220/85 CH X 3,086,448 4/1963 Forman 99/425 3,215,063 1 1/1965 Olson et a1 ..99/425 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 665,161 9/1938 Germany ..220/85 CH 949,864 2/1964 Great Britain .219/438 Primary Examiner-Allen N. Knowles Assistant Examiner-John J. Love An0rneyAlfred G. Gross and Gerald H. Kreske [57] ABSTRACT A cooking vessel which may be selectively supported in various angular positions and having a lid which may also be selectively supported in angular positions either, associated with or disassociated from the vessel.

17 Claims, 11 Drawing Figures PATENTED m1 81972 sum 2 or 4 vmm PATENTEU JAN! 81972 SHEET 3 [IF 4 PATENTEB JAN] 81972 sum u [1F 4 I SELECTIVELY SUPPORTABLE COOKING APPARATUS The present invention relates to cooking apparatus which includes an open-topped vessel and a lid selectively supportable upon such vessel for covering the same, and the principal object of the invention is to provide new and improved cooking apparatus of the character described.

The vessel has the usual plurality of legs-for spacial support thereof in a cooking mode upon an underlying surface wherein the vessel is in a substantially horizontal position and also has support means by which the vessel may be selectively supported on such surface in a position tilted from the horizontal at less than a 45 angle or supported in a storage position tilted from the horizontal at more than a 45 angle.

The vessel lid, in addition to being supportable in the usual manner upon and covering the vessel, is provided with support structure at one side thereof on which the lid may stand upright and disassociated fromthe .vessel upon an underlying surface. In addition, a portion of the lid support structure provides a strut for engagement with the vessel in manner whereby the lid may be supported on the open top of the vessel in partial covering relation therewith. Finally, the lid support structure is so engageable with the vessel as to retain the lid in covering relation thereon when the vessel is disposed in the storage position hereinabove mentioned.

These and other advantages will readily become apparent from a study of the following description and from the drawings appended hereto and, in the drawings accompanying this specification forming a part of this application, there is shown, for purpose of illustration, an embodiment which the invention may assume, and in these drawings:

DRAWING DESCRIPTION FIG. 1 is a perspective view of apparatus embodying the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged, broken, side elevational view of the apparatus seen in FIG. 1, parts on the near side being removed to show underlying structure;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged, fragmentary perspective view of certain details seen in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 2 but with the apparatus lid omitted and with the apparatus vessel disposed in an alternate position;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view generally corresponding to the line 5-5 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary view similar to FIG. 4 but with the apparatus vessel disposed in still another alternate position;

FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 2 but withgthe apparatus lid shown disposed in an alternate position on the apparatus vessel;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged, fragmentary sectional view generally corresponding to the line 8--8 of FIG. 1, a detail being shown in one position by full lines and in alternate positions by phantom lines;

FIG. 9 is a side elevational view of the apparatus lid shown disposed in storage position disassociated from the apparatus vessel;

FIG. 10 is a view similar to FIG. 2 but with the apparatus lid shown disposed in an alternate position on the apparatus vessel; and

FIG. 11 is a broken, side elevational view similar to FIG. 6 but showing the apparatus lid affixed to the apparatus vessel.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 is cooking apparatus herein shown by way of example to consist of a generally rectangular shallow vessel 10 having an electric resistance element 11 embedded in or otherwise in heat-conductive relation with its underside. Such a vessel is commonly known as an electric frypan. Removably disposed in covering relation with the vessel 10 is a lid 12 mounting a handle 13 of low heat conductivity by means of which the lid may be comfortably manipulated to and from vessel-covering relation. Vessel 10 has a bottom wall 14 and upstanding sidewalls 15 while lid 12, in the position of parts seen in FIG. 2, has a depending, peripheral flange 16 closely fitting within the sidewalls l5.

Means are provided for spacially supporting the vessel 10 on an underlying supporting surface such as a countertop in the normal horizontal cooking position seen in FIG. 2, such means comprising spaced-apart legs 17 on one side of the vessel and similar legs 17.] on the opposite side of the vessel. Such legs have respective laterally extending portions 18, 18.1 which underlie and are suitably secured-to respective bosses 19 formed on the underside of the vessel. Extending between and formed integrally with the upper portions of legs 17 to a handle 20 while a similar handle 20.1 extends between and is integral with the legs 17 .1. Disposed below respective handles 20, 20.1 and extending between and integral with respective pairs of legs 17, 17.1 are respective reinforcing rung members 21, 21.1.

For purpose later to appear; the handle-leg assembly at the left side of the vessel (in the position of parts viewedin FIG. 2), is provided with the following support means structure: As best seen in FIGS. 2, 3 and 7, brackets 22 are secured to and depend from respective laterally extending portions 18.1. Aligned apertures are formed in the brackets 22 and journaled in such bracket apertures is a U-shaped (see especially FIG. 5) resilient wire support 23 having spaced leg portions 24 connected by a base portion 25. As best seen in FIG. 3, at least one of the brackets 22 is provided with'three protrusions 26, 27 and 28 directed toward the adjoining leg 24 of the U- shaped support 23.

With the support 23 positioned as seen in FIG. 2 and in the full lines shown in FIG. 3 (in which position the support will be yieldably retained by virtue of frictional engagement of its legs 24 with the adjoining surfaces or respective brackets 22), the support will be directed radially inwardly of the vessel for noninterference with use of the latter in the usual manner; that is, with the vessel standing upon its legs 17.1 in the normal, horizontal cooking position illustrated in FIG. 2. Under certain circumstances, however, as when preparing greasy foods, it may be desirable to tilt the vessel slightly to drain the grease from such foods as they are being cooked.

It is a function of support 23 to provide for disposition of the vessel in the tilted relation aforesaid during cooking operations of the type mentioned.

When the vessel is to be used in the tilted position seen in FIG. 4, support 23 will be positioned as seen at X in FIG. 3 with its leg 24 disposed between the protrusions 26, 27. In shifting the support to this position, the support leg 24, of course, will be sprung over the protrusion 26. In such position, support 23 will, in effect, form an extension of the vessel legs 17.1 so that in combination with the vessel legs 17, the vessel will be supported on the underlying countertop at the slight angle (which may be defined as an angle of less than 45) shown in FIG. 4.

Support 23 not only functions to support the vessel 10in the tilted cooking position seen in FIGS. 4 and 5, but it also functions to support the vessel in an upright storage position illustrated in FIG. 6. When the vessel is to be stored in the position seen in FIG. 6, the support 23 will first be spring to the position seen at Y in FIG. 3 with its leg 2A disposed between the protrusions 27, 28. The vessel may now be disposed in the generally upright position seen in FIG. 6 with support base 25 and the handle 20.1 disposed upon the underlying countertop. As seen in FIG. 6, the angular position of the vessel is such that it will be balanced, with its center of gravity indicated at G, between the places of engagement of the support base 25 and the handle 20.1 with the underlying supporting surface. For a purpose later to appear, center of gravity G is preferably somewhat closer to the support base 25 than it is to the handle 20.1.

Turning now with greater particularity to the lid 12, one side of the latter (that side shown adjacent handle 20 in FIG. 1) is provided with support structure fora purpose to appear.

Such support structure is presently formed of a low heattransfer, laterally projecting body 30, and a resilient wire member 31 carried by such body. Body 30 is presently formed of a suitable plastic having the necessary heat-resistance and low heat-transfer characteristics and is secured to the lid in any suitable manner (not shown). As best seen in FIG. 8, body 30 is provided with a lip 32 adjacent to but spaced laterally outwardly of the lid lower margin.

As best seen in FIG. 7, is is sometimes desirable to support the lid on the vessel at a sharply tilted angle of approximately 45". This may readily be accomplished by engaging the body lip 32 beneath the handle (or the handle 20.1) while the adjoining peripheral flange 16 of the lid is disposed within the vessel.

With reference to FIG. 8, body is recessed at 33 for a purpose to appear and opposed sidewalls 34 thus provided are formed with axially aligned openings 34.1 adjacent the lid in which the member 31 is joumaled. Member 31 (FIGS. 1 and 8) is generally U-shaped to provide spaced legs 35 joined by a connecting portion 36. Legs 35 are bent at 37 (FIG. 8) to provide transversely projecting portions 38 and such portions are depressed at 39, in the position of parts seen in FIG. 8, for a purpose to appear. Still referring to FIG. 8, the lower (in the position of parts shown) ends of member legs 35 are bent toward each other to pass through respective body openings 34.1 and upwardly to provide portion 40 which extend along the interior of respective body sidewalls 34.

At least one of the body sidewalls 34 has a plurality of radially spaced indentations 41, 42, 43 and 44 formed therein for receiving the adjacent portion 40 of member 31 for purpose of retaining such member in either the full line position seen in FIG. 8 or any of the phantom line positions A, B or C.

With member 31 in its full line position seen in FIG. 8, the lid 10 may by used in the normal manner to cover the vessel as illustrated in FIG. 2. Note that with the parts thus disposed, depressed portions 39 of leg portions 38 form a convenient spoon rest. With the member 31 still in the full line position above-mentioned, the lid may be stored in upright relation upon the countertop as seen in FIG. 9. When so disposed, it will be noted that the body 30 and the member 31 cooperate in providing leg means on which the lid thus stands.

If member 31 is now rotated to its phantom line position A seen in FIG. 8, the member forms a strut which may be employed to support the lid upon the vessel in slightly tilted relation, as illustrated in FIG. 10, with the member 31 engaged with one vessel wall 15 and with the lid flange 16 engaged with the opposite vessel wall. It will be understood that the resiliency of the member 31 is such that its retroverted leg portions 40 will be sprung unto and out of respective body wall indentations 41, 44, 43 and 42 as the member is shifted from its full line position of FIG. 8 to its phantom line position A.

Member 31 also performs another function and, as illustrated in FIG. 11 wherein the vessel is shown in the same storage position seen in FIG. 6, the lid may be stored upon the vessel in normal covering relation therewith. As illustrated, the lid will be retained in position by disposing the member in the phantom line position B seen in FIG. 8, the member leg portions adjoining respective bends 37 thus forming a hook whose opening is directed toward handle 20 for engagement of such hook with such handle.

While disposition of the lid on the vessel as seen in FIG. 11 would tend to unbalance the assembly to the left in the position of parts viewed, this is avoided by so proportioning the parts that the center of gravity G of the assembly remains between the vessel handle 20.1 and the vessel support base portion 25.

Although not illustrated, lid member 31 may perform still another function: With such member disposed in phantom line position C of FIG. 8, such member provides a loop by means of which the lid may be hung in storage position upon a wallmounted hook. Similarly not illustrated, vessel member 23, in either of the phantom line positions X or Y of FIG. 3, provides a loop by means of which the vessel may be hung in storage position upon a wall-mounted hook.

In view of the foregoing, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that I have accomplished at least the principal object of my invention and it will also be apparent to those skilled in the art that the embodiment herein described may be variously changed and modified without departing from the spirit of the invention, and that the invention is capable of uses and has advantages not herein specifically described, hence it will be appreciated that the herein disclosed embodiment is illustrative only and that my invention is not limited thereto.

Iclaim:

1. Cooking apparatus which includes a vessel having a projecting handle for manipulating said vessel and a plurality of legs for spacially supporting said vessel in a cooking mode upon an underlying surface wherein said vessel is in a substantially horizontal position, the improvement comprising,

support means carried by and projecting from said vessel and having a portion cooperable with said handle to spacially support said vessel upon said surface in a storage mode in a position wherein said vessel is tilted from the horizontal at an angle greater than 45.

2. The construction of claim 1 wherein said vessel has bottom and sidewalls,

wherein said handle is elongates and extends along and is spaced from a vessel sidewall aforesaid,

wherein said handle has depending end portions underlying and secured to the underside of said vessel,

and wherein said support means is carried by a portion of said handle.

3. The construction of claim 2 wherein two of said vessel legs are provided by the aforesaid depending handle end portions.

4. The construction of claim 1 wherein said support means has a portion cooperable with certain of said legs to spacially support said vessel on said surface in another cooking mode wherein said vessel is tilted from the horizontal at an angle of less than 45.

5. The construction of claim 2 wherein said support means comprises a single member shiftably carried by said vessel and movable to respective positions providing for respective cooking modes.

6. The construction of claim 4 wherein said support means comprises a U-shaped member whose leg free ends are pivoted to said vessel,

and wherein abutments are carried by said vessel for engagement with one of said member legs to yieldably retain said member in respective positions providing for respective cooking modes.

7. The construction of claim 6 wherein a structurally integral body is secured to said vessel and forms said vessel handle and two of said vessel legs,

and wherein said member is pivoted to said body intermediate said two vessel legs. 8. Cooking apparatus providing an open-topped vessel and a lid selectively supportable upon said vessel for covering the same, the improvement comprising,

support structure carried by said lid and providing leg means at one side of said lid on which the latter may stand upright and unassisted upon an underlying supporting surface when said lid is disassociated from said vessel,

said support structure also providing a strut for extension between said vessel and said lid to support the latter in slightly tilted relation on the open top of said vessel in partial covering relation therewith.

9. The construction of claim 9 wherein a portion of said support structure is pivoted to said lid for movement to a position providing said strut,

and wherein said support structure portion is pivotable away from such position for noninterference with disposition of said lid on said vessel in covering relation therewith.

10. The construction of claim 8 wherein a portion of said support structure is pivoted to said lid for movement between first and second positions respectively providing said strut and part of said leg means.

11. The construction of claim wherein said support structure portion has a hooklike configuration opening toward and for selective engagement about a handle carried by said vessel.

12. The construction of claim 10 wherein said support structure portion is notched for engagement with said vessel when such portion is disposed in said first position.

13. The construction of claim 8 wherein said support structure provides a rigid projection selectively engageable beneath a handle carried by said lid on said vessel in sharply tilted relation so that said vessel is substantially uncovered,

and wherein said projection in part forms said leg means.

14. The construction of claim 13 wherein said support structure includes a portion pivoted to said projection for movement between first and second positions respectively providing said strut and part of said leg means.

115. The construction of claim 14 wherein said projection is formed of heat-insulating material,

and wherein said portion pivoted thereto is formed of wire.

16. In cooking apparatus which includes an open-topped vessel and a lid selectively supported upon and covering said vessel, the latter having projecting handles for manipulating said vessel and a plurality of legs for spacially supporting said vessel in a cooking mode upon an underlying surface wherein said vessel is in a substantially horizontal position, the improvement comprising support means carried by and projecting from said vessel and having a portion cooperable with one of said handles to spacially support said vessel upon said surface in a storage mode in a position wherein said vessel is tilted from the horizontal at an angle greater than 45, support structure carried by said lid and providing leg means at one side thereof on which said lid may stand upright and unassisted upon an underlying supporting surface when said lid is disassociated from said vessel, said support structure having a portion with a hooklike configuration opening toward and for selective engagement about said other vessel handle when said vessel is in said storage mode aforesaid. 17. Cooking apparatus providing an open-topped vessel and a lid selectively supportable upon said vessel for covering the same, said lid having a top wall and circumscribing sidewall structure and the lower portion of the latter being adapted to rest upon said vessel when the latter is covered by said lid, the improvement comprising support structure secured to said lid sidewall structure adjacent the latters lower portion aforesaid and cooperable with said vessel to support said lid thereon in tilted relation in partial covering relation with said vessel, said support structure providing leg means at one side of said lid on which the latter may stand upright and unassisted upon an underlying supporting surface when said lid is disassociated from said vessel.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No, 3 9 3 Dated January 18 Inventor(s) Berton R. Oxel It is certified that error -appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 2, line 13, "to" should be is Column line 23, "elongates" should be --elongated same column, line 65, "claim 9" should be claim Signed and sealed this 6th day of June 1972.

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M.FLETCHER,JR. ROBERT GOTTSCHALK Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents USCOMM-DC 60376-P69 e u.s. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: 1969 o-sss-asa FORM PO-105O (10-69) 

1. Cooking apparatus which includes a vessel having a projecting handle for manipulating said vessel and a plurality of legs for spacially supporting said vessel in a cooking mode upon an underlying surface wherein said vessel is in a substantially horizontal position, the improvement comprising, support means carried by and projecting from said vessel and having a portion cooperable with said handle to spacially support said vessel upon said surface in a storage mode in a position wherein said vessel is tilted from the horizontal at an angle greater than 45*.
 2. The construction of claim 1 wherein said vessel has bottom and sidewalls, wherein said handle is elongates and extends along and is spaced from a vessel sidewall aforesaid, wherein said handle has depending end portions underlying and secured to the underside of said vessel, and wherein said support means is carried by a portion of said handle.
 3. The construction of claim 2 wherein two of said vessel legs are provided by the aforesaid depending handle end portions.
 4. The construction of claim 1 wherein said support means has a portion cooperable with certain of said legs to spacially support said vessel on said surface in another cooking mode wherein said vessel is tilted from the horizontal at an angle of less than 45*.
 5. The construction of claim 2 wherein said support means comprises a single member shiftably carried by said vessel and movable to respective positions providing for respective cooking modes.
 6. The construction of claim 4 wherein said support means comprises a U-shaped member whose leg free ends are pivoted to said vessel, and wherein abutments are carried by said vessel for engagement with one of said member legs to yieldably retain said member in respective positions providing for respective cooking modes.
 7. The construction of claim 6 wherein a structurally integral body is secured to said vessel and forms said vessel handle and two of said vessel legs, and wherein said member is pivoted to said body intermediate said two vessel legs.
 8. Cooking apparatus providing an opeN-topped vessel and a lid selectively supportable upon said vessel for covering the same, the improvement comprising, support structure carried by said lid and providing leg means at one side of said lid on which the latter may stand upright and unassisted upon an underlying supporting surface when said lid is disassociated from said vessel, said support structure also providing a strut for extension between said vessel and said lid to support the latter in slightly tilted relation on the open top of said vessel in partial covering relation therewith.
 9. The construction of claim 9 wherein a portion of said support structure is pivoted to said lid for movement to a position providing said strut, and wherein said support structure portion is pivotable away from such position for noninterference with disposition of said lid on said vessel in covering relation therewith.
 10. The construction of claim 8 wherein a portion of said support structure is pivoted to said lid for movement between first and second positions respectively providing said strut and part of said leg means.
 11. The construction of claim 10 wherein said support structure portion has a hooklike configuration opening toward and for selective engagement about a handle carried by said vessel.
 12. The construction of claim 10 wherein said support structure portion is notched for engagement with said vessel when such portion is disposed in said first position.
 13. The construction of claim 8 wherein said support structure provides a rigid projection selectively engageable beneath a handle carried by said lid on said vessel in sharply tilted relation so that said vessel is substantially uncovered, and wherein said projection in part forms said leg means.
 14. The construction of claim 13 wherein said support structure includes a portion pivoted to said projection for movement between first and second positions respectively providing said strut and part of said leg means.
 15. The construction of claim 14 wherein said projection is formed of heat-insulating material, and wherein said portion pivoted thereto is formed of wire.
 16. In cooking apparatus which includes an open-topped vessel and a lid selectively supported upon and covering said vessel, the latter having projecting handles for manipulating said vessel and a plurality of legs for spacially supporting said vessel in a cooking mode upon an underlying surface wherein said vessel is in a substantially horizontal position, the improvement comprising support means carried by and projecting from said vessel and having a portion cooperable with one of said handles to spacially support said vessel upon said surface in a storage mode in a position wherein said vessel is tilted from the horizontal at an angle greater than 45*, support structure carried by said lid and providing leg means at one side thereof on which said lid may stand upright and unassisted upon an underlying supporting surface when said lid is disassociated from said vessel, said support structure having a portion with a hooklike configuration opening toward and for selective engagement about said other vessel handle when said vessel is in said storage mode aforesaid.
 17. Cooking apparatus providing an open-topped vessel and a lid selectively supportable upon said vessel for covering the same, said lid having a top wall and circumscribing sidewall structure and the lower portion of the latter being adapted to rest upon said vessel when the latter is covered by said lid, the improvement comprising support structure secured to said lid sidewall structure adjacent the latter''s lower portion aforesaid and cooperable with said vessel to support said lid thereon in tilted relation in partial covering relation with said vessel, said support structure providing leg means at one side of said lid on which the latter may stand upright and unassisted upon an underlying supporting surface when said lid is disassociated from said vessel. 